A legendary figure himself, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has deemed what he believes to be pro wrestling’s best success story.
Debuting in September 1996, Mark Henry is often heralded as one of pro wrestling’s greatest big men, enjoying a celebrated 25-year career in WWE. This saw ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ reign as the World Heavyweight, ECW Heavyweight, and European Champion, ultimately being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April 2018.
Despite his own success, Henry doesn’t believe his own achievements compare to that of The Rock. The current AEW analyst named ‘The Brahma Bull’ as wrestling’s best success story during an appearance on Busted Open Radio.
Recalling how he was never a favourite behind the scenes, Mark Henry discussed the turning point of The Rock’s career trajectory:
“I will say he is the greatest success story in the history of pro wrestling because of where he came from. He was not a favourite in football, in the locker room he was not a favourite in wrestling. People said he was ‘Rocky lite’ and I heard that from somebody that was a high up and I was like, ‘Damn, he’s not going to make it.’ And then when he changed and started doing it his way, look at him now. The match that he had with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin – Austin-Rock [was] masterful.”
Mark Henry and The Rock debuted just two months apart at In Your House: Mind Games and the 1996 Survivor Series, respectively, soon thereafter joining forces in The Nation of Domination. They were aligned for less than a year before both became singles competitors again, as the former Rocky Maivia grew to be one of the top WWE Superstars.
The two-time Olympian officially retired from in-ring competition following WrestleMania 33, though a one-off appearance saw the former ‘Sexual Chocolate’ enter the fifty-man Greatest Royal Rumble match. Henry joined AEW in May 2021 after serving as a producer for WWE, now signed as a coach, announcer, and talent scout.